Thonet No. 9 Bentwood Chair from Japan
The iconic Thonet No. 9 is a classic bentwood chair with a single piece of steam-bent beech wood forming the backrest and rear legs, paired with woven cane seat, designed for household dining or living rooms. It falls under HTS 9401.69.2010 as a household seat with a wooden frame made from bent-wood construction. This excludes upholstered or metal-framed variants.
Duty Rate — Japan → United States
12.5%
Rate breakdown
9903.05.4912.5%Section 301 (forced labor) — Japan (col1 rate < 12.5 percent): MFN < 12.5% → total duty capped at 12.5%
Import Tips
• Verify the frame is primarily beech or similar wood bent via steam process, not laminated, to confirm bent-wood classification
• Provide detailed photos and material specs in entry docs to avoid reclassification as non-bentwood under 9401.69.4000
• Label as 'household use' and ensure no commercial padding to prevent shifts to 9401.71 or 6307.90